Global Arts Institute - Playing By Ear, by Loris Holland

Instrument: Piano

Introduction:

Listening:

Learning the Art of using the ear. The revelation of the simplicity of the secrets of music analysis, inspiration, recall and finally performance.
The fulfillment of communing with every sound, tone, rhythm and timbre that surrounds us, can only be achieved when we begin to play by ear.
It is quite awesome when we begin to understand the language of music. The unique colors of melody, harmony and dissonance etched in time marking the beginning and the ending…like a journey that starts from home, going out the door into the streets, making left turns and right turns, arriving at our destination, then returning home.
Every piece of music has this form. I will be teaching you the rules of this journey.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Knowledge of the location of notes on the piano
2. The ability to play the Major scale
3. The desire to play by ear

NOTE: It is important to note that this course was constructed to help players at every level of skill, and never loses its effectiveness if applied as suggested. It is not geared for the virtuoso pianist, but more for songwriters, and students who just love to play by ear.
It will give you a strong backbone of understanding, and ability to break down, understand, and emulate popular music, at will.

EASY AS ABC

A. My Basic Rules of Musical Journey

1. The Logic behind the rules
2. The overtone series
3. The birth of diatonic scale and its relevance to harmony
4. Modes: Major, Minor, Dorian, Phrygian etc
5. Intervals and their influence on melody and harmonic direction.
6. The hierarchy of the seven notes in the major scale as they relate to chords, each in the key of C… I chord…D is the II chord, E is the III Chord, etc.

7. Simplification of the above

B. CHORDS
My description: combination of notes played together

A brief overview of the rules and functions of the household chord in harmony. Roman numerals are used to identify each of the separate chords, thus describing their functions, e.g.

1. The Roman numeral (I) chord is the head of the family and the Father of the song. He establishes the key of the song. We begin with I and must return to I. It is our home.
2. The V chord is the Mother of the family and serves as a pivot and doorway back to home. Once we leave home, I we cannot return unless we come back through Mom, V.

3. We will focus on the seven chords in their basic triadic form (three notes). This is the backbone to all music, and the basis of my course. The terms and explanations may seem complex and might even be intimidating, but it is as simple as ABC.

4. Chord Progressions: Understand the functions and Roman numeral will for example ask you to play me a I-V-I progression, e.g. In the key of C, roman numeral I is C Major (notes: C, E & G) and V is G Major (notes: G, B & D). So, the chord progression I, V & I are C major then G major then back to C major. Chord progressions function as a map to your journey.

5. The 7th chords and their extensions eg. 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths
6. Chord voicing and inversions
7. Reading chord charts

C. PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES
1. Finger strengthening exercises e.g.; I recommend five finger exercises by Schmidt and scales and exercises by Harmon.
Note: Techniques requirements will vary for individuals, according to their level, goals and reasons for wanting to play the piano.

2. The proper way to practice
3. Chord Exercises
4. Coordination e.g., left hand plays Bass while the right hand plays chord rhythms.
5. Accompaniments, e.g. playing for a soloist, like a singer or instrumentalist.

This is the outline of the course, and the Guide to a daily practice principal, that will reap the benefits immediately and forever.
This course has bin constructed for the beginner and the advanced student ... its effect is timeless.

Loris Holland

For more information
TIME222@aol.com

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